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    November, 2016

    Convention Report

    Ollie Seay, Ph.D., Texas State University
    AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention Committee Chair

    We’ve done it again!  Had a fabulous convention, that is!  San Antonio is always a fun place to visit, but it’s even better when you can get in some educational and networking activities.  This year, we had a total of 219 in attendance for the full convention, and 29 attendees at our Pre-Convention Workshops on Ethics and Aging.  Our keynote speaker, Archer Hadley, stole the show and offered great inspiration to all in attendance with his genuineness, heartfelt dedication, and humor.  There were 32 breakout sessions that offered a broad range of topics of interest including person centered approaches, behavioral interventions, billing issues, forensic services, historical issues, cultural competency, and autism to name but a few.  There was a panel of state leaders that helped inform us of upcoming issues.  We were happy to see many consumers and families attending through sponsorship of the Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities stipends.

     

    If you wandered into the exhibit hall, you saw that we had 9 exhibitors, some of which were new to us.  At, the awards luncheon, we recognized the people below:

    • President’s Award – Esperanza Bryan

    • Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Award – Lisa Shelby

    • Knowledge Award for Excellence in Education or Research – David Seaton

    • Support Award for Excellence in the Provision of Direct Supports – The Patterson Family

    • Empowerment Award for Excellence in Promotion of Self-Advocacy – Archer Hadley  

    • Student Award for Excellence in Knowledge, Support or Empowerment – Bobbi Hutson

     

    I would like to personally thank the AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention Committee for all their hard work in making this convention a success.  They are the heart and soul of our organization.  Their names are listed below.  Our organization would not work without our Event Coordinator, Pat Holder, and I want to especially let her know how appreciated she is.  I further want to recognize our 16 sponsors who helped us accomplish our goals for the convention.  Finally, I want to thank our attendees for their interest and support of AAIDD Texas Chapter.

     

    I look forward to another fine convention next year in Houston!  See you there!

    Ollie, Seay, Ph.D., Chair

    Program/Awards/Nominations

    Texas State University – San Marcos

    ollieseayphd@austin.rr.com

     

    Eva Aguirre 

    Silent Auction/Exhibitors/Sponsors

    The Center

    eaguirre@thecenterhouston.org 

     

    Connie Cisneros, Chair

    Chair, Local Arrangements/

    Awards/Nominations

    Tropical Texas Behavioral Health

    ccisnero@ttbh.org

     

    Margo Childs

    Awards/Nominations, Consumer Stipends/

    Silent Auction/Exhibitors/Sponsors

    MHMRA of Harris County

    margo.childs@mhmraharris.org

     

    Pat Craig, Ph.D.

    Chair, Consumer Stipends

    ecraig1@austin.rr.com

     

    Jermaine East

    Awards/Nominations/Exhibitors/Sponsors

    MHMRA of Brazos Valley

    jeast@mhmrabv.org

     

    Steve Fitzner

    Exhibitors/Sponsors

    Spindletop Center

    sfitz2000@sbcglobal.net

     

    Austin Hubbard

    Consumer Stipends

    Center for Life Resources

    Andy Griffin, Ph.D.

    Program

    ag90ag@sbcglobal.net 

     

    Charlotte Kimmel, Ph.D.

    Program/Local Arrangements

    kimmel88cm@aol.com

    ​

    Cheryl Petty

    Consumer Stipends/Silent Auction

    cheryl.petty@atcic.org

     

    Melissa Rasco

    Chair, Silent Auction/Local Arrangements

    CALAB

    mrasco@calabinc.com

     

    Bernadette Richardson

    Local Arrangements/Silent Auction

    Kenmar Residential Services

    bernadetter@kenmartx.com 

     

    Lisa Shelby

    Program/Consumer Stipends

    Austin Travis County Integral Care

    lisa.shelby@atcic.org

     

    Dion White

    Chair, Local Arrangements

    Center for Life Resources

    dion@cflr.us

     

    Melissa Whitworth

    Local Arrangements

    Bluebonnet Trails Community Services

    melissa.whitworth@bbtails.org 

     

    Debbie Youngblood

    Chair, Exhibitors/Sponsors

    Daybreak Community Services

    debbiey@daybreakcommunity.com